I’m going to start with this . . . I am really struggling right now.
Part of my struggle is just dealing with the relentless State of Things in the world. That constant battering of horribleness that is going on – for all of us – all the time. (And I don’t even listen to/watch the news anymore.) But it’s actually more than that. I also have a Dreaded Event . . . looming over my head . . . later this week. Something that is necessary, but also really hard.
So this one-two punch (the State of the World AND the State of MY World) is combining to drag me under.
I have been trying to return to the things I love best, to notice the little things in my days that bring me joy. And they are definitely there . . . those little joy-ful things. And they do help. A little bit, at least.
Over the weekend, I received a few Scavenger Hunt entries, complete with photos and stories. When I first thought of the whole Scavenger Hunt thing, it was designed to help us enjoy the summer months — to immerse ourselves in some summer fun, some summer joy even if (some of us) don’t actually enjoy summer all that much. But I realized this weekend that seeing your photos come in . . . your silly hats and your pets and your ice cream . . . that I actually find joy in watching YOU find joy! (So please keep those entries coming! I can really use them this week.)
Your Scavenger Hunt “finds” got me thinking about my own Scavenger Hunt “finds” for the weekend. Of course, I can’t play along (officially), but I can share what I’d share IF I were playing along . . .
Like this sunset photo I took from my front porch. Our house sits on a hill and it faces west, so we see really great sunsets all the time. Tom called out a “beauty emergency” for this one . . . and we ran out into the front yard to watch it.
And this road trip photo I took over the weekend on our drive to visit Brian and Lauren in southern Michigan. “Road trips” don’t have to be long or exciting, y’know? To me, a road trip . . . is just getting out of town. Seeing some scenery. Maybe trying a new route (which we were doing).
I’d also share this not-so-great photo of JoJo meeting Brian and Lauren’s robo-lawn mower. Poor JoJo spent much of last week (“fireworks week”) either drugged or hung over. (She is terrified of fireworks.) She was still very much “sleeping it off” when we visited Brian and Lauren, but she did perk up when the mower started mowing. She sounded the “intruder alarm” — and then stalked it for a while (it moves very, very slowly and there are many safety features built in to keep it from encountering obstacles – like animals). By the time I had stopped laughing and thought to take a photo, she was Over It and ready to continue her nap . . . but maybe you can imagine how funny that was for all of us.
And I’d share this lovely bouquet I’m enjoying in the house this week. One of my great joys this summer . . . is my weekly flower subscription from Flowerfield Farms. This lovely flower “farm” is nearby, but not really. It’s south enough from me that I have a hard time getting down there to pick up bouquets from their roadside stand very often. When they started sharing a weekly delivery subscription service (I get a fresh bouquet delivered to my door every week), I signed on. Big splurge, yes. But it has been the most lovely thing — and worth every penny.
So.
Those are Scavenger Hunt “entries” that I would share . . . if I were playing along.
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Keep looking for those little joys. And share them! They do bring brightness . . . into these really dark days.
There is a very large part of me that is sad that there was no video of JoJo and the Automatron Mower! (and every time I see a Roomba or an auto-mower, I think of the Jetson’s! So thanks for that ear worm this morning! HA!) But your flower bouquet… stunning! Just stunning! (if I had such an option here I would sign myself up!)
If you were playing along I would call you the winner! That’s a beautiful bouquet and an excellent reminder to me to stop at my local flower farm after work and grab a bouquet for myself. Sending you lots of support for the Dreaded Event.
Sending lots of love and support and more moments of beauty. I’ll send some photos asap. I need to get my hat photo taken first.
Thank you for sharing too! The story of JoJo with the lawnmower (even if the only movie is in my mind) and the glory of that beautiful bouquet are a great start to my day. A day that includes my mammogram (not dreaded, just a nuisance). Thanks for bringing US some joy – hang in there, we’re rooting for you.
Oh I love your Scavenger Hunt things! The picture of Jojo made me laugh, because you can tell she is just done with the whole thing.
The bouquet subscription service would be worth every penny to me – what a lovely pick-up, even in weeks that are good already.
What a gorgeous bouquet! I would do a subscription too. And Jo-Jo…so sweet. I’m sorry about last week for your pup. I wish fireworks would just be outlawed. Luckily ours were a bit on the light side this year – even the (usually) noisy neighbors were a bit quieter. I’ll send you some more pics (there will be a road trip at the weekend coming up to meet IN PERSON Sarah!!!
I love the idea of subscription flowers! I’ll be thinking of you this week for your big thing which I hope is ok.
I’ll be thinking of you this week, and please know that you’re not alone (though I’m sure you know this already) in despairing over the state of the world. Finding those small moments of beauty and turning to things that bring me joy are how I’m dealing with it because, frankly, there’s not much I can do to change it.
Had reason to gift Two bouquets this week. Thank you for letting me know that it was probably a good choice – instead of any alternative.. Hope your second Dreaded Event turns out well.
I’ve had two fights with loved ones due to the state of politics and the world. That was a wakeup call for me (I am not a fighting type of person) that I can not let The State of Things rule my life. I feel like I’m just barely holding on but I’ve decided to keep busy, make potholders, and try to make sure I have something to look forward to. This week it’s a fun meet up with Sarah, Mo, Vera, and Dee. I’ll send pics! Sending good juju that the Dreaded Event is as good as possible.
Thank you for sharing your struggles. I think many of us feel the same way about the state of the world. Your photos are lovely and the subscription for a bouquet of flowers sounds like a grand idea. I hope the Dreaded Event comes and goes uneventfully.
Oh, those flowers & that sunset! (I see a small painting there!) Lots of love to you… hope it all goes OK.
The Ostrich signing on over here. I’m sorry YOUR world and the world we all live in is such a mess. It’s hard to find joy when your brain is engaged in things that loom. BUT, every morning I hear an intrepid robin just going to town outside my window and I note that little bit of joyous energy. Margaret Renkl is coming out with a new journal (in Octber, I think) and that will give me a play to put the sounds I sights of nature I see each day.
The flower delivery is the nicest thing I’ve heard about to help chase that looming tiger away! Wouldn’t it be nice to have TWO deliveries a week?;-D I must say I’m a little envious you have a flower delivery service!